IT is the ultimate gift from devoted parents to their sick sons – the chance of a normal healthy life.

And when Rob and Ann Roulstone were told identical twins Jason and Ashley both needed kidney transplants, they had no hesitation in offering themselves as donors.

Now, the brothers are on the brink of making medical history by receiving an organ each from their mum and dad.

Ashley will get one from 52-year-old Ann while Rob, 49, is preparing to donate his kidney to Jason.

Home help co-ordinator Ann said: “As a parent you really don’t have a choice. As soon as I heard they’d need a ­transplant I immediately said I could be the donor. It was an automatic reaction. There was never any doubt that we wanted to do it.

“It was devastating. But all I wanted was to be the donor. It was just an instant reaction. I would do anything to help my twins and their dad felt just the same.” Rob added: “This is something I have to do. We were lucky really. Our DNA and blood had to be a match for the boys and it was. They then checked we have two healthy kidneys.”

The 20-year-old twins have Alport’s Syndrome, a condition which damages the kidney’s blood vessels and leaves sufferers needing a transplant just to live a normal life.

Jason, who has a three-year-old son Kyran, said: “When we were told by the doctor, mum burst into tears and ran out of the room. Typically, when she calmed down all she wanted to do was to help. She told us there was no room for negativity, that we’d be all right and if she could give one of her kidneys then she would.

“It is such a brave thing for them both to do. We are really proud of them both. If it all works out as we hope it will, this will be the greatest present they have ever given us.

“I’m looking forward to getting my fitness back. Sometimes it just leaves me feeling so weak that I cannot even make a fist. All my muscles are under attack and my body feels like jelly.” Both boys were entirely healthy before the onset of the disease. But it has dramatically affected their lives. Jason, who was working as a roofer, had to retrain as a barber. As well as having dialysis for four hours, three times a week they have to survive on a potassium-free diet. This means no salt, no potatoes, no fruit and all vegetables have to be boiled until they are mush. They are allowed their favourite pizza once a week.

The pair, from Long Eaton, Notts, are also restricted on their fluid intake. A maximum of one litre of liquid a day is all that their kidneys can cope with. That includes gravy.

Ashley says: “It is not quite like being a normal 20-year-old.

“Our mates are all downing pints but when we do go out we have to survive on shots otherwise we would go over our allowed liquid intake.”

Rob and Jason’s operations will take place at Nottingham’s City Hospital next month. Ann and Ashley are expected to have theirs later this year once tablets have strengthened his heart muscles. Kidney Research UK said the double transplant is unique. Chairman Professor Neil Turner added: “I have never heard of anything like it before. Alport’s Syndrome is an unusual condition and for it to affect identical twins at the same time and for their parents to both be in a position to give one of their healthy kidneys is extraordinary.

“If all goes well then these young men have a lot to thank their parents for. Live donor kidneys are the best. You know you are getting a good kidney and an exceptional match.

“There is a 90% chance of success, meaning that all parties will be back to full and normal health.”

Jason and Ashley were tested for Alport’s Syndrome when they were born because Ann’s father, uncle, aunt, sister and two cousins had it.

SHOCK

It didn’t present itself until the twins were 10. Doctors hoped it could be managed until they were in their 30s, but further tests in 2008 found it to be accelerating faster than predicted.

Tragically, Rob and Ann lost a son, Nathan, 18, in 2007 – just when her other boys were told they were deteriorating. Ann said: “It was a terrible time. Nathan was a fit and healthy 18-year-old who’d started working with a concrete firm and had his whole life ahead of him.

“He died from pulmonary aspiration. There was no warning. It was just a total, awful shock.

“The twins were a real comfort to me through that. They grew up as healthy kids who were fit and active. Jason had started Thai boxing and Ashley was into roller-skating but Alport’s is something that creeps up on you.

“The doctors called them for tests after Nathan died and we got the results in September 2008.

“Obviously since then their health has got worse and they have both had to stop doing a lot of the things that they want to do.

“They may still look quite well to strangers but as their mother I know they are both very weak by their standards.

“We are all positive in this family. We believe we can overcome anything and I have to hope ­everything will go well and I will have my boys back, as fit as they used to be.”

The couple will each have to take at least three months off after their operations to recover.

But Rob said: “To see the boys back to health will be the best gift anyone could give me. They reckon my kidney should last Jason for 25 years. I will be able to live fine on one kidney. There was never a question of being put off.”